Parents to meet with CMS superintendent about lead in drinking water

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A group of concerned parents said they're meeting with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox Thursday to talk about high levels of lead in drinking water at dozens of schools.

Former CMS manager of Environmental Health, Brian Kasher, shared information found in drinking water sampling reports from 2017.

Many lead-contaminated water-producing drinking outlets were found inside classrooms in 2017, according to a sampling report.

Fifteen were in kitchens, and one was in a nurse's office.

Water samples were tested from drinking fountains and sinks in 58 CMS elementary schools last fall.

Twenty-seven of them had high levels of lead, which was above drinking water standards.

Parents weren't told about the lead in the water for almost a year.

CMS is in the process of testing lead levels in all schools.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• CMS plans for future testing of lead in water
• CMS to conduct 2nd phase of testing drinking water for lead
• CMS testing all sources of water at 58 elementary, K-8 schools
• Report: 'High levels' of lead found in water at 26 CMS elementary schools

Lead is a significant health concern.

In children, lead poisoning can cause slowed development and learning and behavior problems.

It can also cause brain, liver and kidney damage.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Rocky River High School athlete killed in crash along Lawyers Road in Mint Hill
• High School Football Scoreboard
• Statesville day care worker accused of assaulting toddler fired, owner says
• Customs agents seize over 6 pounds of cocaine from Charlotte Douglas over two-day span
• Family in Mexico hoping to find answers for missing Mooresville teacher

Cox Media Group